On February 23, 2022, 20-year-old Ryan Costello was fatally shot at the Premier Gas Station located at 1734 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Albuquerque Police Department responded to the scene around 5:30 p.m., where they found Costello suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Investigations revealed that Costello and 18-year-old Christopher Valencia were acquaintances who had engaged in an argument at the gas station concerning a handgun Valencia possessed. Valencia later told police that he used the handgun to shoot Costello because he believed Costello was going to try to take it from him.
Valencia was arrested and charged with an open count of murder. In August 2023, he pleaded guilty to one count of involuntary manslaughter as part of a plea agreement. As a result, seven other charges were dropped. In November 2023, he was sentenced to six years in prison, followed by three years of supervised probation.
Ryan Costello was remembered as a loving son, brother, and partner. Born on June 26, 2001, in Albuquerque, he graduated from Albuquerque Charter Academy in 2020. He worked for Murray Drilling Company and was known for his love of the beach, cooking, and providing for his family. He is survived by his mother, father, siblings, fiancée, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
